Born to Be Wild#Cover versions

{{Infobox song

|name = Born to Be Wild

|cover = Born to be wild steppenwolf US single Dunhill-only variant A.png

|alt = side-A label

|caption = One of side-A labels of the US single

|type = single

|artist = Steppenwolf

|album = Steppenwolf

|B-side = Everybody's Next One

|released = May 9, 1968

|genre = {{hlist|Hard rock{{cite book|first= Ian |last= Inglis |year= 2003 |title= Popular Music and Film |publisher= Wallflower Press |page= [https://archive.org/details/popularmusicfilm00iani/page/13 13] |isbn= 978-1-903364-71-0 |url= https://archive.org/details/popularmusicfilm00iani |url-access= registration |quote= Steppenwolf's 'Born To Be Wild', a gritty, hard-rock song that quickly became an anthem for defiant individualism.}}{{cite magazine|title= Heavy Metal |magazine= Billboard |date= May 10, 1986 |page= H-1 |volume= 99 |issue= 18 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8CQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22born+to+be+wild%22&pg=PA47-IA2}}|proto-metal{{cite book|editor-first= Robert |editor-last= Dimery |year= 2011 |title= 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die |chapter= The Pusher – Steppenwolf (1968) |publisher= Octopus Publishing Group |isbn= 978-1-84403-717-9 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=UH_EOUR4tmkC&pg=PT634}}{{cite book|first= Barney |last= Hoskyns |year= 1996 |title= Waiting for the Sun: The Story of the Los Angeles Music Scene |publisher= Viking |page= 172 |quote= The brilliant soundtrack, including the Byrds' 'Wasn't Born to Follow', Steppenwolf's proto-metal 'Born to be Wild', and Jimi Hendrix's 'If Six Was Nine', helped to set the film in a kind of outlaw-rock'n'roll context.}}}}

|length = {{hlist|3:30|3:02 (7-inch)}}

|label = {{hlist|Dunhill|RCA}}

|writer = Mars Bonfire

|producer = Gabriel Mekler

|prev_title = A Girl I Knew

|prev_year = 1967

|next_title = The Pusher

|next_year = 1968

|misc = {{External music video|header=Official audio|{{YouTube|p8FTmkTIL88|"Born To Be Wild"}}}}

}}

"Born to Be Wild" is a song written by Mars Bonfire and first released as a single by Steppenwolf. Although the lyrics do not specifically mention motorcycles, the song is often invoked in both popular and counterculture to denote a biker appearance or attitude since being featured in the 1969 film Easy Rider. Sometimes, "Born to Be Wild" is described as the first heavy metal song, and the second-verse lyric "heavy metal thunder" marks the first use of this term in rock music (although not as a description of a musical style, but rather a motorcycle).{{cite news |last1=Dave Simpson |title=How we made Steppenwolf's Born to Be Wild: Interview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/31/how-we-made-steppenwolf-born-to-be-wild |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=31 July 2018}}{{cite book|first= Robert |last= Walser |year= 1993 |title= Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music |publisher= Wesleyan University Press |isbn= 978-0-8195-6260-9 |url= https://archive.org/details/runningwithdevil00wals |url-access= registration}}

Composition

Mars Bonfire wrote "Born to Be Wild" as a ballad.{{cite web|first= Hal |last= Horowitz |title= Born to Be Wild – Song Review |publisher= AllMusic |url= http://www.allmusic.com/song/born-to-be-wild-mt0002632723}} Bonfire was previously a member of the Sparrows, the predecessor band to Steppenwolf, and his brother was Steppenwolf's drummer. Although he initially offered the song to other bands — The Human Expression, for one{{cite AV media notes |title= The Human Expression: Love at Psychedelic Velocity |year= 1994 |publisher= Collectables Records}} — "Born to Be Wild" was first recorded by Steppenwolf in a sped-up and rearranged version that AllMusic's Hal Horowitz described as "a roaring anthem of turbo-charged riff rock" and "a timeless radio classic as well as a slice of '60s revolt that at once defines Steppenwolf's sound and provided them with their shot at AM immortality".

Release and reception

"Born to Be Wild" was Steppenwolf's third single off their self-titled debut album, and became their signature song, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot{{nbsp}}100 singles charts. It was kept from the number-one spot by "People Got to Be Free" by the Rascals.{{cite magazine|title= The Hot 100 |magazine= Billboard |date= 24 August 1968 |access-date= 16 December 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1968-08-24}} In 2004, Rolling Stone placed "Born to Be Wild" at number{{nbsp}}129 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.{{cite magazine |title= The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (1–500) |magazine= Rolling Stone |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2 |archive-date= August 20, 2006 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060820114448/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2}} Also in 2004, it finished at number{{nbsp}}29 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema. In 2009, it was named the 53rd-best hard rock song of all time by VH1 (It had ranked 40th in the 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll by VH1 nine years earlier.).{{cite web|first= Andrew |last= Winistorfer |title= VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list only slightly less annoying than their hip-hop list |website= Prefix Magazine |date= 5 January 2009 |access-date= 3 January 2021 |url= http://www.prefixmag.com/news/vh1s-100-greatest-hard-rock-songs-list-only-slight/24504/}} In 2018, the song was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a new category for singles.{{cite magazine|first= Gary |last= Graff |title= Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inducts Songs for the First Time, Including 'Born to Be Wild' & 'Louie Louie' |magazine= Billboard |date= April 14, 2018 |access-date= April 15, 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8333912/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-inducts-songs-born-to-be-wild-louie-louie}}

Charts

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1968–1969)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Austria|20|artist=Steppenwolf|song=Born To Be Wild|access-date=July 2, 2013}}

{{single chart|Flanders|16|artist=Steppenwolf|song=Born To Be Wild|access-date=July 2, 2013}}

{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=5856|access-date=June 17, 2014}}

{{single chart|Germany|20|artist=Steppenwolf|song=Born To Be Wild|songid=10104|access-date=July 2, 2013}}

{{single chart|Dutch40|32|year=1968|week=41|access-date=July 2, 2013|refname="Dutch401968"}}

New Zealand (Listener){{cite web |title= Search listener |website= Flavour of New Zealand |access-date= July 14, 2017 |url= http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=715#n_view_location |archive-date= May 16, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210516153322/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qartistid=715#n_view_location |url-status= dead }}

|align="center"|13

{{single chart|UK|30|date=19690705|refname=UK30|access-date=July 2, 2013}}

US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web |title=Steppenwolf – Awards |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=July 2, 2013 |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/steppenwolf-mw0000191884/awards}}

|align="center"|2

class="wikitable"

!Chart (1973)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Dutch40|16|year=1973|week=32|access-date=July 2, 2013|refname="Dutch401973"}}

{{single chart|Dutch100|14|artist=Steppenwolf|song=Born To Be Wild|access-date=July 2, 2013}}

class="wikitable sortable"

!Chart (1990–1991)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Flanders|20|artist=Steppenwolf|song=Born To Be Wild|access-date=July 2, 2013}}

Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title= Eurochart Hot 100 Singles |magazine= Music & Media |date= 1 December 1990 |volume= 7 |issue= 48 |page= IV |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-12-01.pdf}}

|align="center"|79

{{single chart|Dutch40|4|year=1990|week=47|access-date=July 2, 2013|refname="Dutch401990"}}

{{single chart|Dutch100|5|artist=Steppenwolf|song=Born To Be Wild|access-date=July 2, 2013}}

class="wikitable"

!Chart (1999)

!Peak
position

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable"

!Chart (1968)

!Position

Canada (RPM Top Singles){{cite magazine|title= The RPM 100: Top Singles of 1968 |magazine= RPM |volume= 10 |issue= 19 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5867&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5867.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5867}}

|align="center"|14

US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1968 |website= Longbored Surfer |access-date= July 20, 2017 |url= http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1968}}

|align="center"|31

class="wikitable"

!Chart (1990)

!Position

Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|title= Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1990 |publisher= Dutch Top 40 |access-date= August 12, 2021 |url= https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1990 |language= nl}}

|align="center"|47

Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990 |publisher= Single Top 100. Hung Medien |access-date= August 12, 2021 |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1990&cat=s |language= nl}}

|align="center"|57

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Steppenwolf|title=Born to Be Wild|award=Gold|id=11523|relyear=1968|certyear=2022|access-date=July 26, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2024|relyear=1968|artist=Steppenwolf|title=Born to Be Wild|accessdate=November 29, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Steppenwolf|title=Born to Be Wild|award=Gold|relyear=1968|certyear=2018|access-date=September 10, 2021|id=5786}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|award=Platinum|certyear=2024|artist=Steppenwolf|title=Born to Be Wild|accessdate=May 15, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Steppenwolf|title=Born to Be Wild|award=Platinum|relyear=2007|certyear=2024|id=14395-4438-1|access-date=November 21, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Steppenwolf|title=Born to Be Wild|award=Gold|relyear=1968|certyear=1968|access-date=September 10, 2021}}

Cover versions

{{Infobox song

|name = Born to Be Wild

|cover =

|alt =

|caption =

|type = single

|artist = Kim Wilde

|album =

|B-side = All About Me

|released = 2002

|recorded =

|studio =

|venue =

|genre =

|length = 3:23 (Radio Mix)

|label = Edel

|writer = Mars Bonfire

|producer = Ricki Wilde

|prev_title = Loved

|prev_year = 2001

|next_title = Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime

|next_year = 2003

|misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|ayQN8wVCTQk|"Born to Be Wild"}}}}

}}

In 1985, the song was covered by Australian band Rose Tattoo. Their version peaked at number 25 in Australia. In 2002, it was covered by Kim Wilde and released as a nonalbum single. Her cover reached number 84 in Germany and number 71 in Switzerland. Belgian singer Tanja Dexters also covered the song in 2002. Her version peaked at number 21 in Belgium.

Other artists who covered this song include Hinder,{{cite news|first= Maura |last= Johnston |author-link=Maura Johnston |title= The 50 Worst Songs of the '00s, F2K No. 15: Hinder, "Born To Be Wild" |newspaper= The Village Voice |date= December 11, 2009 |url= http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2009/12/the_50_worst_so_12.php |url-status= dead |archive-date= July 27, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140727142533/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2009/12/the_50_worst_so_12.php}} Etta James, Link Wray,{{cite book |first= Bob |last= Leszczak |year= 2014 |title= Who Did It First?: Great Rock and Roll Cover Songs and Their Original Artists |publisher= Rowman & Littlefield |page= 25 |isbn= 978-1-4422-3321-8}} Slade,{{cite web|first= Stephen |last= Cook |title= Slade – Slade Alive! |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 18, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/slade-alive%21-mw0000543940}} The Cult,{{cite web|first= Ned |last= Raggett |title= The Cult – Electric |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 18, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/electric-mw0000189571}} INXS, Ozzy Osbourne with Miss Piggy,{{cite web|first= James Christopher |last= Monger |title= Ozzy Osbourne – Prince of Darkness |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 18, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/prince-of-darkness-mw0000249206}} Bruce Springsteen, Slayer,{{cite web|first= Richie |last= Unterberger |author-link= Richie Unterberger |title= Various Artists – NASCAR on Fox: Crank It Up |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 18, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/nascar-on-fox-crank-it-up-mw0000222882}} Blue Öyster Cult, Status Quo, Fanfare Ciocărlia,{{cite web|first= Heather |last= Phares |title= Original Soundtrack – Borat [Original Soundtrack] |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 18, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/borat-original-soundtrack-mw0000563799}} Krokus,{{cite web|first= Alexey |last= Eremenko |title= Krokus – Hoodoo |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= July 18, 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/hoodoo-mw0001967986}} Wilson Pickett, and La Renga.{{cite web|title= El día en que La Renga hizo estallar el Víctor Jara por primera vez |website= Irock.cl |date= July 9, 2013 |access-date= January 30, 2014 |url= http://www.irock.cl/articulos-el-dia-en-que-la-renga-hizo-estallar-el-victor-jara-por-primera-vez/ |language= es}}

=Charts=

==Rose Tattoo version==

class="wikitable"

!Chart (1985)

!Peak
position

Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|title= Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989 |publisher= Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien |access-date= June 17, 2014 |url= http://australian-charts.com/forum.asp?todo=viewthread&id=21533&pages=}}

|align="center"|25